Warlords of Draenor: Female Human Model

In their new series "Artcraft," Blizzard previewed the new female human model for Warlords of Draenor today. Updated 3D models is one of the most-anticipated features of the expansion, and all races, save for Goblin, Worgen, and Pandaren, will be getting 3D Model updates.

Click the cut for the Artcraft blog and a recap of the previously-released WoD models!

Blizzard

Hi, I’m Chris Robinson, senior art director of World of Warcraft, and this is the first in a series of articles we're creating to bring you all closer to the development of the player character. We’re looking at these model revamps as a sort of “spiritual update” to the art content that currently exists in-game—except we’re completely redoing them from scratch. That includes the base model, skin tone variations, customization options (e.g. wrinkles, scars, moles, earrings, etc.), hairstyles, and any skin variations for NPCs you see out in the world, like Iron Dwarves or Leper Gnomes. We’re pretty excited about some of the ideas you've given us for new customization and skin options you’d like to see, but our first goal—which is already a monumental endeavor—is to make sure that the visual content that currently exists is brought up to or surpasses the level of quality you see in current boss models, the Pandaren, and central NPCs like the new Vol’jin model.

With the revamp, we’re completely overhauling every aspect of the player models, but our goal is to do so while retaining the core look and feel that has always made them your character. We'll feel like we've succeeded if you see the updated version of your character and it still feels like you’re looking at the character you’ve been playing for the past however many years—only someone has finally focused a lens.

To achieve this, we’re increasing the polygon count significantly (in some cases going from less than 1,000 to over 5,000), more than doubling the texture resolution, increasing bone count significantly to support updated animation and facial expression, and retouching nearly every animation for all of the characters. For animation alone, that’s roughly 180 animations per character, times 10 races in both male and female variants, equaling approximately 3,600 animations. We’re also incorporating the rigging technology we introduced with the Pandaren into every character to provide better posing, smoother animation, and the ability to pull off some fantastic facial expressions. In the weeks and months ahead, we’re going to be bringing you in for a closer look at some of the processes, challenges, and results of this revamp process.

What you’re looking at here for the Human female is a single face option and a single skin tone on the base model without any animation or posing. When developing the base model we keep the expression on the face as devoid of emotion or expression as possible, as that allows our animators a greater range of motion when they start posing and morphing the face into different expressions. If we were to put any amount of expression—even a slight smile or mildly angry eyebrows—in the base model, that would carry through to every animation, and we'd end up with some very confused-looking characters.Joe Keller is a senior character artist on our team and was responsible for the lion’s share of modeling and texturing the Human female. Here's what he had this to say about this challenge:“Everyone is pretty familiar with the Human character models in WoW, but working on these updates gives us a chance to embellish and fill in the blanks. For the Human female this meant we could give her more muscle definition and personality in the face while still staying true to the overall look and spirit of the original. Hopefully this will also help show her as more of the capable fighter that she is.”This process has been a welcome challenge for all of us on the World of Warcraft art team. We’ve all wanted to address the player models and bring them up to a more current fidelity for some time now, and we’re as excited as you are to get these models into the game. We hope you’ll enjoy this series as we invite you to meet the team and see more on our development process.

Thanks so much, and see you next time.Chris Robinson (@artofcgrobinson), senior art director, World of WarcraftHuman female created by Joe Keller, senior character artist, with direction from Chris Robinson and Tyson Murphy (@Tysmurph), character artist.

Previously Released Models

At BlizzCon 2013, Blizzard previewed several new character models: male and female gnome, male undead, male and female dwarf, male orc, male tauren. Several weeks later, the female undead was unveiled as well.

Comments

Comment by draconic2045

My one and only problem is that, to me, the orc's head looks too small. Other than that I'm looking forward to the character model updates.

Comment by ahunter8056

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:05:56 -0600

Oh my god! That looks so amazing, almost life-like! Seriously, I just cannot believe how much the model has been improved. For a long time now the WoW graphics have been laughed at as outdated, but with major improvements like this, that may not be the case for much longer. Admittedly the Gnome and Orc model improvements aren't really that major (they're much better, but nowhere near as much a leap forward as the Human Female).

Comment by DKmasterCz2

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:06:05 -0600

WHOA! This made me take a break from Coin of Ancestry gathering.What Blizz's done to the female models is just... MAGNIFICENT!I approve!

Comment by Guggaman

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:09:44 -0600

Wow! This is just too good, I fully appreciate all the work put into revamping all these models... The art team definitely deserve more cred than given.

Comment by Guggaman

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:11:10 -0600

Also, for the negative comments on this... be aware that there will always be those who complain.. :// No matter what it is

Comment by shnook13

Comment by Crackbacon

Same here. Night Elves are the ones I'm most excited about, shortly followed by Trolls.

Comment by Deihjan

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:19:16 -0600

holy bloody hell, this is amaziiiiing.I think I'll have to play a human female hunter instead of a pandaren female, I'm in looooove.Now I can't wait to see the night elves.

Hopefully they will do something about the chihuahua-faced worgen female at some point, because this beauty deserves an equally fierce worgen model.

Comment by palamanian

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:20:14 -0600

Looks great! Can't wait to see what the others look like!

Comment by Nubasaurus

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:22:06 -0600

Everything looks great! I love how they kept the feel of the original models, but upped the resolution and quality.

Comment by Skullnbonerz

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:29:39 -0600

Wow, she has more muscle than fat now, so she might actually be a capable fighter, whereas the old one just looked like a breeding vessel. Great job blizz.

Comment by Terrassen

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:31:38 -0600

An expansion that is actually worth paying for and not the same thing over and over again as it's been up with the current expansion.

Comment by godistigger

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:36:47 -0600

The changes look amazing. I can't wait to see my characters with the new looks.

Now, how about changing the human female dance? I think they have the worst dance out of everyone.

Comment by Genisus

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:41:34 -0600

Super disappointed that Worgen and Pandaren won't be getting revamped. Worgens are just meh. Pandaren females are disproportionate. Gobbies are already super cute so I can see where that's not needed. le sigh!

Comment by florhl

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:41:42 -0600

IMO Orcs still look like they need more detail but maybe that's the green skin hiding some of the details

Comment by Pulpo

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:08:05 -0600

I never had a human character before, when WoD will be released out I'll definitely create one! hope they revamp blood elves too!

Comment by Gahnzo

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:09:44 -0600

Is it just me or are the eyes a bit too wide. Like they look surprised. Narrow the eyes a tad and boom - perfection!

No worries, they said the face during the modeling process must be devoid of emotion as possible. That way the facial expressions are not so extreme when they are played. Take this as an example; if you character at default was already smiling then you typed "lol" your character may end up looking like the Joker.

Comment by Suuckamedrya

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:16:28 -0600

GORGEOUS! They heard me! This was the one model I was most excited about, looks like my alliance toon is going back human! :D

Comment by Dalphakans

on Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:16:46 -0600

My Tauren will get slimmer? will he stay with thinner legs? So many ideas inside and out of the game ....No one being used in reviewing skin